About the Alpujarra

A zoomed view would show the extent of the Alpujarra in the province of Granada. It extends from the snowy ridge of the Sierra Nevada, reaching to nearly 3500 metres, south to the Mediterranean coast, a distance of 30 or 40 km's. as the eagle might fly.

A broader definition would include a similarly sized area to the east in the adjacent province of Almería. but walkAlpujarra  confines itself  to the area shown for the purposes of holidays offered..

A multitude of villages dot The Alpujarra. Separated by deep gorges, broad valleys, mountains and rivers, they add a great attraction to the landscape and provide excellent bases for those with an interest in the great outdoors.

Each village has its own distinct charm and is set in its own fold of landscape, often hidden from its neighbours; almost making each walk one of discovery.

The walking is fantastic, a lot of variety as you walk up and down or from valley to valley. A recent client having a guided day with us to the Siete Lagunas commented that despite having nearly completed the Munros "...This is the best place I have ever seen." The hiking routes we use follow ancient mule routes, forest tracks and more recent tourist trails.  "Easy" routes can be found in the immediate vicinity of the villages, and the majority of routes pose no problem to the averagely fit walker even though most involve some short sections that are difficult underfoot. We are often asked to grade the walks but any answer would be too subjective to mean much. The Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarra are on a par with the highland areas of the UK but the extra factors of altitude, more ascent and it being generally hotter make the kilometers feel more like miles and slow the progress.

The natural history is as varied as the climate and whatever your interest we will probably be able to show you to the likely habitats in which your "prey" may root, browse,flutter or slither.

A wide range of mammals, both large and small lead generally secretive, nocturnal lives. The "wild boar" pictured was adopted as a pet and is not typical in its habits. Here are the mammals most likely to be seen.

Reptiles abound but are only seen in the hotter months or in the midday sunshine. Vipers exist but are rarely seen and the other larger snakes seen are not poisonous.

Botanists will find interest at any time of the year. Spring starts in February with the Almond blossom and early orchids, at lower altitudes below 1000m. and works its way uphill to wake the alpines at about 3000m. by July.

Lepidopterists and bug hunters in general will be in their Alpujarra heaven; Insects abound but the lack of standing water fortunately keeps the mosquito somewhere else.

Weather The villages of the Alpujarra are at about 1400 metres above sea level, Granada city is less high and tends to be hotter in summer. Hot or cold days are to be expected in spring and autumn, as are cold nights at this altitude. Winter is usually dry and clear. Most rainfall comes in spring or autumn but don't ask us when! Summer days are hot (too hot for walking) except at high altitude, well above the villages. Summer nights are perfectly comfortable unlike many lower areas of Spain. A huge range of climatic and vegetation zones exist within the area. In the course of a few days walking, if not within a few hours, you could pass from semi-tropical through arid Mediterranean, and on to "Wales", "The Alps" and potentially, the tundra of the 3000 metre peaks.

You are likely to spend most of your time near the villages at about 1200 metres above sea level where temperatures are perfect for walking in spring, autumn and winter. The overall impression is a surprising one for the "Mediterranean", of abundant water and greenery.

A fig isn't worth a fig unless you've picked it from the tree. The same goes for almonds, walnuts, pomegranates, persimmon, mulberries and grapes.

Wine producers dot the Sierra de la Contraviesa, producing wines of increasing quality. The most interesting and typical wines never make it into a bottle or onto a supermarket shelf, we like it too much to sell it!

Although the area could never claim to be a gourmet's paradise, there is much to discover on the food and wine theme. The air-cured ham is perhaps the most famous product of the area, again it is much better for being eaten near to its source.

As your guides we could help you to enjoy the fruits of the traditional agriculture, in wine cellars, bars and restaurants where a non-Spanish speaker might be limited to a bottle of beer and a bag of bird seed: mistakes can happen!

Mines and mills, Roman routes and bridges, castles; all exist in various states of ageing and decay, but are evidence of a past that together we can discover along the way, a past perhaps more glorious, more romantic, bloodier and tougher than the present.

Granada can be visited as a day trip from the Alpujarra but  it takes at least 90 minutes to drive each way.

A longer look is worthwhile and a day or more added to the beginning of your walking holiday is a more relaxed way to see the city.

It is easy to waste a day in Granada but we can help you plan, and provide walking routes within the city to show you some of the less obvious parts of an intriguing city.

The Alhambra is best booked months ahead to avoid queuing.